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HE’S HER REFUGE. SHE’S HIS WAR.

Fifteen years ago, I entered the United States Air Force Academy and never looked back. Becoming a fighter pilot, protecting my country, pushing limits—this was the only future I saw for myself.
Until one mission changed everything. A split-second decision turned the sky from a place of freedom into a battlefield I can’t escape.
Lila was supposed to be a memory, but she never faded. And now she’s back—embedded in my squadron, my jet, and my head. Wanting her isn’t just reckless. It’s dangerous. But I’m not sure I have the strength to stay away.

I know what it means to lose someone to the call of duty.
The missing man flyover. The folded flag. The silence that follows. It broke me once—and I promised myself I’d never risk that kind of pain again.
I thought I’d made my peace with Vegas. With that night. With him. But Logan was never meant to be forgotten. Now, every look, every word, and every moment pulls me closer, even when I know better.
Because the truth is simple—
Loving him could destroy me.
But losing him again? That might ruin me completely.

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

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About the author

Brilee Scott

7 books50 followers
Brilee Scott is a Top 5 Amazon best-selling contemporary military romance author. Her books are filled with swoon-worthy romance, heart stopping action and suspense, and the promise of a hard-fought happily ever after.

Brilee is teacher-turned-author, wife to an aerospace engineer, and mama to the sweetest little boy (plus two very spoiled Australian Shepherds).

She studied education and fiction writing in college before spending several years teaching kindergarten and earning her master’s degree in literacy. Inspired by her husband’s career in military aviation, her deep-rooted patriotism, and her love of happily ever afters, Brilee found her way back to writing.

The idea for Viking, her debut novel, sparked during a family day at an airshow—proof that jet noise and love stories pair surprisingly well. She now writes heartfelt, high-stakes romance featuring elite fighter pilots, fierce heroines, and the kind of chemistry that lingers long after the last page.

Brilee and her family call Florida home, though they’re currently at Edwards AFB in California, where her husband is part of a next-generation fighter program. She’s hard at work on the rest of The Silent Pursuit series—and a few spin-offs about characters she just couldn’t let go of.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Profile Image for Aislin Spurgeon.
120 reviews
November 2, 2025
It was truly an honor to read an Advanced Reader Copy of Viking by Brilee Scott. What an absolutely stunning debut—full of heart, second chances, and the kind of emotional depth that lingers long after you turn the final page. I was hooked from the very first chapter, where we meet the sweet and sassy Lila and the ever-endearing Captain Logan James.

Aside from the captivating romance, my favorite part of this book was learning about the Air Force and the flight demo team. Truthfully, my knowledge of these topics was limited going in, but Brilee Scott did an excellent job of teaching the reader without it ever feeling overwhelming. Her expertise is evident, and there’s an added authenticity that suggests thorough research and personal experience. The intricacies of the flight scenes, the vivid descriptions of the F-22s, and the inner workings of the Air Force itself held my attention, made me run to add more military romances to my TBR, and left me yearning for the next installment in the series.

Lila was an FMC who was easy to root for. She was well-grounded, ambitious, and intentional. Her heart was so evident in the moments when she chose forgiveness over bitterness. She showed grace, even when she had every reason not to, and that’s something I deeply admired. She was steady and constant—the perfect heroine for our hero.

Captain. Logan. James. Need I say more? While the book begins in Lila’s POV, I truly believe this story is aptly titled because it belongs to Logan. From the cocky (yet undeniably charming) pilot we meet in Las Vegas, to the man haunted by ghosts of his past, to the version of him we get to love in the end—“character growth” feels like an understatement. Logan’s journey was a winding path, but also one of immense healing. Brilee Scott does a beautiful job of letting the reader sit in Logan’s pain, empathize with the weight he carries, and follow him as he climbs his way out of his grief as best he can.

The word that keeps coming to mind while writing this review is “balance.” This is something Viking does so well. Scott masterfully balances the romantic tension with the adrenaline rush of flight missions and the buried trauma of the past as it claws its way to the surface. I swooned, I laughed and cried, and chewed on my nails—I felt every emotion while reading.

And her prose. My goodness, the prose. There were so many lines that took my breath away—moments that stopped me mid-page just to reread them again. Scott’s writing has a cinematic quality that makes every emotion sharper, every heartbeat louder, every quiet moment linger just a little longer. It’s the kind of writing that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

One of the most impactful parts for me was when Logan was deployed. As someone with very little personal experience with the military, I was surprised to learn just how quickly deployment can happen—and with very little notice. In the story, Logan sometimes had to be ready within hours or days, and communication with Lila was scarce. Experiencing this from both perspectives was powerful. It gave me a new appreciation not only for the soldiers who so bravely serve our country, but also for the wives, partners, and families who have to love them from afar. They have to be ready to say goodbye at a moment’s notice, trust that “no news is good news,” and pray their loved one comes home. In those moments, our soldiers are often the heroes we think about—but those they leave behind are unsung heroes in their own right.

I was also so impressed by the foundation this debut sets for the series. The author has planned a world of interconnected standalones and spin-offs, and we meet so many memorable characters here that the “found family” element is felt from page one. With such a large cast, the level of depth and individuality each character receives was a welcome surprise. I closed the book feeling like I knew them all—and I can’t wait to explore their love stories as the series continues.

Viking is a story that will undoubtedly stay with me for a long time. If you’re a fan of second-chance romance, military romance, found family, and stories that balance sweet, swoony love with something much deeper, this book is for you. Congratulations on a breathtakingly beautiful debut, Brilee Scott. I’ll read anything you write—and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Bravo!
Profile Image for MacKenzie Conner.
1 review1 follower
October 15, 2025
What a beautifully written book! The descriptive writing made me feel like I was physically there watching and seeing every moment ! Viking is a beautiful love story with bits of suspense. It continuously sucked me in & drew every emotion out of me while reading. I truly can’t wait for book number 2! Just wait till you get to the end of Viking.. you’ll say the same thing!
Profile Image for ash.
138 reviews7 followers
October 30, 2025
Thank you SO much to the author, who I have the privilege of calling a friend, for the ARC copy of this book.

Where do I even start… this book was nothing short of amazing. Brilee, thank you for this book. I hope that everyone that picks this up sees the incredibly important message behind this beautifully hard-fought happily ever after. Freedom isn’t free. As the child of a veteran, I’ve always had the utmost respect for the men and women that give some, if not all, for our country. With that, I’m very picky with my military romance novels—their lives are not something to be romanticized. This book portrayed it all. The good, the bad, the ugly, most importantly—the truth.

I fell for Logan and his entire flight. I felt Lila’s fear of the unknown. I felt the grief from both of them. This book was so beautifully written, Brilee truly has a gift. I laughed, I cried, I came to love every character featured in this book. The imagery was insane. I felt like I was there with them!

So, if you loooove:

🇺🇸 military romance that doesn’t romanticize the lives of soldiers and their families
🪖 hard-fought HEAs
🇺🇸 dual POV
🪖 second chance/invisible string
🇺🇸 action and suspense
🪖 found family
🇺🇸 healing what duty broke
🪖 home isn’t a place, it’s you

I could never recommend this book enough! If you’re a fan of Rebecca Yarros’ work, you will appreciate Brilee’s. I am IN LOVE with this series already.

Brilee, I do not envy your experiences that shaped this novel. I do, however, appreciate your husband’s service, and the sacrifices that he and your family make for our great nation. I love this story, and I love you! Thank you for shining a light on the reality of the grief, trauma, and PTSD that veterans experience daily as well as the grief, fear, and pain that their families experience simultaneously through this beautifully written piece of literature. And to anyone reading who is a veteran, or family of one, thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
Profile Image for Rylie.
12 reviews7 followers
October 23, 2025
Brilee’s debut novel, Viking, is a devastatingly beautiful read. This story encapsulates love, heartbreak, loss, and guilt in a beautiful way with characters that you instantly fall in love with. I love the complexity of each character and how the story ties their past, present, and future all together. Viking is full of flirtatious banter and heartfelt moments that make it an easy read regardless of your favorite genre. Brilee’s writing style is so lovely and has such rich imagery and symbolic expression- at this point I’m not convinced that I’ve never been in the cockpit of an F-22!

Whether you’re looking for your next interconnected series of couples to fall in love with, or want to feel the adrenaline rush of soaring through the sky in a fighter jet, Viking should be your next read.

I cannot wait to see what comes next for Lila, Logan, their friends, and for Brilee, who I know has a bright future ahead!
Profile Image for Kandace.
123 reviews5 followers
October 23, 2025
This book completely blew me away! The story pulled me in from the first page, and I was hooked until the end. The characters felt so real and layered, and I loved how their relationships and emotions developed naturally.

What really stood out to me was the attention to the military side, it added so much authenticity and depth. The action scenes, the camaraderie, and the emotional moments were done so well. It’s one of those stories that makes you laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. Truly unforgettable.
Profile Image for Haley Taylor.
172 reviews112 followers
November 25, 2025
absolutely incredible debut by @brileescottauthor!
Grab your tissues and get ready for the emotional ride 🤧

If you are Top Gun fan or love a tortured hero, Viking is for you! It’s such a beautiful story of love, loss, second chances, sacrifice, and facing grief. I absolutely adore Logan and Lila and the journey they go on. I can not wait to see what comes next from Brilee Scott!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️ -2 scenes, not overly descriptive but emotionally charged
Profile Image for Halle Macpherson.
Author 1 book9 followers
September 15, 2026
What a beautifully moving story. The author delivers a masterclass on how to balance action, romance and emotional depth. The love story between the two main characters is messy and real, and I believe that's what makes it so captivating. I'll remember this story and these characters for a long time to come.
Profile Image for Jamie.
86 reviews
January 27, 2026
Oh my heart Viking is such a heart pulling story that was beautifully written. Such an amazing debut novel. Captain Logan “Viking” James is a F-22 Pilot and Lila Mercer is the new public affairs coordinator

Logan and Lila were so easy to root for from the very beginning. Their healing journey was captured perfectly. Lila could’ve been bitter but she had grace and compassion instead. Logan putting in work to heal his hurts the best he could was everything.
Logan has something to fight for, something to hold on to!

I was hooked from the very beginning and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

If you’re looking for a book that has healing, found family, a little bit of a second chance, and some action this is the book for you!

“Home used to be just a place,” he continues. “But then I met you, and I realized it’s not a place at all. It’s a feeling. It’s what I want to come back to. It’s you.”
Profile Image for Tanya.
957 reviews21 followers
November 16, 2025
I’m honestly so honored to have read this story as an ARC, and incredibly thankful the author reached out to me for an honest review. I love a good military romance, and the moment I saw the book’s caption, I was hooked.

We meet Lila in Vegas, doing the classic maid-of-honor duties, when she unexpectedly crosses paths with Logan, a US Air Force pilot with the call sign Viking. She’s just accepted a job coordinating military contracts, he’s charming from the first moment, and their meet-cute sparks immediately.

As the story unfolds, Lila’s past comes out in these small, carefully placed pieces that kept me fully invested. Then ,bam, we jump ahead six years. Now we’re in Virginia, and Logan has a serendipitous reunion with Lila that he definitely wasn’t prepared for. Her career, her family ties, her father’s ranking in the military, and the big looming question of who Lincoln is all collide and bring her right back into Logan’s orbit.

Their relationship starts to rebuild and shift, but the mystery surrounding Lincoln? Still completely baffling in the best way. And the forbidden romance angle, especially with her being a General’s daughter, was a twist I did not see coming.

And then, midway through the book. I thought I had caught an author mistake. Nope. Absolutely not. A bomb goes off, figuratively, and destroys the perfect little world Lila and Logan were building. My jaw was on the floor. This book packs a punch. It’s full of heart and tenderness, yes, but also layered with secrets, tension, and reveals that feel genuinely nuclear.

As things click into place, the miscommunication trope creeps in, just a few times, but it works here because of everything they’ve left unsaid. And for this book to make me teary-eyed? That’s rare. It touches on grief, rejection, and other emotional wounds in such a thoughtful, honest way. I also love the way the author brought in self-care for Logan and Lila.

Yes, it’s steamy. But it’s also beautifully written, with so much feeling woven through every chapter. The portrayal of military life, especially the Air Force, is raw, heartbreaking at times, and incredibly real. The sacrifices these characters make feel authentic and deeply meaningful, not just plot devices.

By the end, everything comes full circle. We get the swoony romance we’ve been craving… and a cliffhanger that’s vicious in the best possible way. The found family vibes, from friends to colleagues to commanders, added so much warmth to the story. You can tell this book was written with heart, respect for the military experience, and a deep understanding of healing from grief. I even enjoyed all the plane facts; they were a nice touch to make it feel authentic.

I truly enjoyed this read. As someone who understands how demanding military life can be, I felt the authenticity on every page. Lila and Logan’s story is epic, emotional, complicated, and ultimately hopeful. They’re mature characters, even when I didn’t agree with them, and that maturity adds depth to even their hardest moments.

If you love military romance with heat, heart, mystery, and a storyline that hits, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Profile Image for Jody.
363 reviews2 followers
November 21, 2025
Beautiful debut

Viking: The Silent Pursuit Book 1
By @brileescott
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Air Force pilot, Logan "Viking" James, is part of the F-22 Demo Team, flying at air shows around the country. Lila was a one-night-stand he couldn't forget. Now they're reunited and secrets, guilt, and regret threaten their future.

As the wife of a retired Air Force pilot, this was an emotional read. It is beautifully written and an incredible representation of the life of a pilot. I don't want to give any spoilers so I will simply state I loved Logan and Lila as a couple. Their love is strong and she stands by him even when he doesn't think she should. The characters are relatable and the story arc is perfect. I am thoroughly invested in the side characters as well, and can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series by this debut author.
Profile Image for Ashley Laura.
261 reviews7 followers
June 14, 2026
*Thank you to Bloom Books PR and Brilee Scott for this gifted ARC in exchange for an honest and authentic review - All opinions are my own.*

This was an enjoyable read! Super cute meet cute from 6 years past was a really sweet way to have Lila and Logan fates intertwine.

I enjoyed this story and the way they quickly pick up where they left off. But I struggled with how quickly they needed to fall into instant love to help with the rest of the story line.

Lila is the MVP for sticking by Logan after only a few months of dating and then life handing them some serious lemons.

I applaud Logan for working on himself but the back and forth and time apart left the plot a little bit disjointed for me.

Overall though, enjoyable read with valuable real life military experience, not sugar coating it all, and left us on our toes while we wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Brooke Smith.
42 reviews
October 10, 2026
Logan and Lila’s story will pull you in, have you feeling all the emotions, and have you hooked until the end. It’s raw. It’s heartbreaking. It’s vulnerable. It’s captivating. Lila is guarded, strong and ambitious. Logan is cocky, yet charming and haunted by the ghost of his past. There are moments that will shatter you (found family meets a loss) and that letter. That letter took me out and had my heartbreaking. The two main characters met one night in Vegas and thought they’d never see each other again. Yet, the universe was silently playing match maker all along. From the time Logan and Lila saw each other again the sparks flew and the jetted off on a wild ride of love, healing, heartbreak, chaos and more. Their story truly shows that true love and patience can endure even the wildest of storms. I truly enjoyed reading their story and watching them grow together. I can’t wait to see what’s to come with their found family as this series continues.
Profile Image for Sandra Will.
Author 2 books9 followers
December 7, 2025
So I just finished reading Viking...and I just want to throw the book across the room. It was that good. What am I supposed to do with that last line, Brilee? Summer 2026 seems like a (too) long wait!

Viking mixes weakness & strength, grief & love, and fear & hope perfectly.

As I pilot myself (commercial) I really had a blast reading inside the Raptors' cockpit scenes. I could easily visualize every maneuver and felt all their comms and unspoken thoughts. l ached for it's pilots as well as for Lila patiently waiting at home.

Viking is a brilliant aviation romance that will leave you breathless. Looking forward to your next heartbreaking novel
Profile Image for MayeRee Schiess.
36 reviews10 followers
November 20, 2025
⭐️ 4.25/5
🌶️ 1.5/5

Viking is one of the most beautifully written stories I’ve read this year! I enjoy the characters’ depth, and the author represents grief and trauma with a rawness that claws at my chest. This book is a tear-jerker for me and reminds me of the great sacrifice that the military and their families make every day. If this is not on your TBR, you are sorely missing out!

If you’re a fan of:

🇺🇸 Military Romance
🇺🇸 Tortured Hero
🇺🇸 Slow Burn
🇺🇸 Dual POV
🇺🇸 Action and Suspense

This book is for you!
Profile Image for Meg.
26 reviews
November 12, 2025
ARC Review: This book broke my heart a little and then patched it together with hope and enough Gs to keep it from falling apart.

It’s one of those stories that feels like you’re right there in the silence, the ache, and the moments that change everything. Logan and Lila have this slow, emotional pull that never lets up. You can feel every ounce of love, fear, and longing between them.

The writing is beautiful and raw, while the military aspect adds so much depth and tension. It’s not just a story about falling in love. It’s about healing and forgiveness, and the kind of courage it takes to risk your heart again after you’ve already lost everything once before.

If you’re into slow-burn second chances, emotional intensity, and love stories that stay with you long after you finish, this one’s for you.

Counting down the days until the next book. Bring on all the book boyfriends!
Profile Image for Vanessasbooksta.
358 reviews20 followers
June 5, 2026
This book handled heavy themes of military sacrifice, grief, and unsaid secrets with total authenticity. It’s atmospheric, deeply emotional, (have some tissues ready mid book) along with some Top Gun intensity.

⏳ Second chance romance
🤫 Forbidden love
)🪖 Military romance
🔥 Workplace tension
💔 Right Person, wrong time
🌪️ Secret past
🧎‍♂️ He falls first and harder
Profile Image for Weena Bernabel.
Author 7 books57 followers
August 17, 2026
118...
I did 118 highlights.

Okay, so… how can I even say this?

The way I resonated with this book wasn’t even funny. There were so many moments that brought back memories for me—good ones and bad ones. I know what it feels like to be right there in the middle of all of it. The chaos. The uncertainty. The fear. And the waiting. The waiting is the fucking killer.
Because you’re just there, trying to keep going, trying to stay positive, trying not to let your mind go to the worst possible place while knowing there’s absolutely nothing you can do but wait.

So yeah… this book got me.
I went through EVERY. SINGLE. EMOTION.

I was cheering. I was being the biggest hype girl. I was happy. Then sad. Then angry. Then happy again. Then sad—so fucking sad—and then somehow happy all over again.
My heart physically hurt during so many parts of this book. And then… THE LETTER. I broke down reading that damn letter. Why is it always the letters for me? 😂😭 Seriously. Every fucking time. That part was devastating. It completely broke me.

“Our story is just beginning, I’ll be back.” 😭😭😩

Yeah. That one hurt. But I loved this story so damn much. I love Brilee’s writing and the way she introduced every single character. I especially loved how close everyone was. The friendships, the family, the way they showed up for one another—it made everything happening between these characters feel so much more real. And Logan? Oh, Logan.
I absolutely fell in love with him. There were so many moments where all I wanted to do was crawl inside this book and hug the hell out of that man.

“I thought if I stayed away, I was saving you from… me.”

SIR. 😭

Watching him navigate everything he was carrying while still trying to protect the people he loved absolutely destroyed me. And his relationship with Lila? I loved them so fucking much. There was something about the way he wanted to be there for her—not because he thought she needed saving, but because he wanted her to know she didn’t have to carry everything alone.

“Because I’d want you to feel safe with me.”
Those lines tell you everything you need to know. And then this man goes—“Lila, you are it for me.”

EXCUSE ME?!
My heart.

Their relationship had so much emotion behind it. The love, the fear, the vulnerability, the longing, the trying-to-protect-each-other-even-when-it-hurts… I ate every second of it up.
But another thing I really loved about this book was that the romantic relationship wasn’t the only relationship that mattered. There was so much love between everyone, especially the friendships and brotherhood.

“But seriously, I love you, brother.”

Those little moments meant so much to me. There’s something special about reading characters who genuinely love one another and aren’t afraid to show it—especially when everything around them feels like it could fall apart at any second. Viking made me laugh, cry, rage, hope, hurt, and fall completely in love with these characters. Brilee, you put me through emotional hell with this one, and apparently I loved every fucking second of it because again....118 highlights.
This book was emotional in ways I wasn’t prepared for, and because of my own experiences, certain parts hit me harder than I can even explain.

I loved it all. I loved Logan. I loved Lila. I loved their people. I loved Brilee’s writing.

And I already know that this is one of those books that is going to live rent-free in my head for a very, very long time. ❤️‍🩹
Profile Image for Military Writers Society of America (MWSA).
914 reviews84 followers
Read
April 23, 2026
MWSA Review

Lila and Logan meet at a bar in Las Vegas while Logan is on a short leave from his job as an Air Force Stealth fighter pilot. Lila is attending a bachelorette party for a good friend. The chemistry between the two is immediate, and they spend a passionate evening together. Though they both know it is more than just passion, they part ways without exchanging last names or telephone numbers. They’ve made an impression on each other that lingers with both of them.

Six years later, they meet again. Lila, an event planner, is hired to plan and coordinate demonstration flights at the same Air Force base where Logan is stationed, where he flies in heart-stopping aerial demonstrations. His call sign is “Viking” and is the book’s title. But beyond the demonstrations, he participates in real, sometimes covert, and always dangerous missions anywhere in the world. Lila and Logan’s relationship intensifies, but the potential loss of Logan to an accident or enemy action frightens Lila. She lost someone she loved in the past, someone performing his duty to defend our country.

Her presence at the base rekindles Logan’s deep remorse over an airborne incident that continues to haunt him. It’s a regret that Lila does not yet know involves her family. Logan must summon the courage to tell her the truth before the relationship can continue, but he fears it might endanger their deep connection.

Logan feels most at peace as he experiences a “oneness” with his F-22 Raptor. And the author provides plenty of opportunities for the reader to go along with him in the cockpit.

Through exciting in-the-air action and touching internal thought, author Brilee Scott takes the reader on a satisfying ride of action, longing, fear, and hope. Will Lila and Logan’s love survive injury, danger, and deception? Does Logan realize the most important adventure in his life is the love he feels for Lila?

A romance aficionado will enjoy taking the ride along with Lila and Logan. Viking has everything you need for a satisfying read: a gorgeous couple, heart-pounding aerial action, enough eroticism, good friends, supportive relatives, and maturation of the main characters.

Review by Patricia Walkow
Profile Image for Nicole.
888 reviews8 followers
July 15, 2026
When Lila had a one night stand in Vegas 6 years ago, she never expected to see the man again, although she thought of him often. So when she starts her new job as the air show coordinator on the Air Force Base she’s been working on for years, she is shocked to see the same man walk in. Their attraction hasn’t waned in their time apart, and he makes it clear that he wants to see where things go, but having already lost a loved one overseas, she isn’t sure whether she’s ready to give herself to someone, only to potentially lose them too.

Logan never forgot the woman he spent a night with in Vegas, so when he sees her at Langley, he is convinced it’s a sign. Falling for Lila is the easiest thing, but knowing that he’s keeping something big from her, something that could tear them apart before they even have a chance, makes it hard to be all in. When he’s deployed at the last minute, he finds himself in an all too familiar situation, and as his past collides with his present, his chance at a future feels like it’s slipping away.

This was my first book by the author and it took me on quite the rollercoaster ride. Logan and Lila seem like the absolute perfect couple, but its clear that they both have scars from their past that impact every decision they make. Having spent her life around the military, Lila understands her role better than most, but knowing what she’s lost before makes it harder to risk losing Logan now. He puts on such a strong front, but hides so much pain inside that he was bound to snap, I just wish the catalyst wasn’t so devastating. I loved that while this was a love story above all, there was also a strong focus on mental health for the soldiers, and their loved ones, and clearly showed the struggles of the ones left waiting at home. The ending set the scene perfectly for the next book in the series, and I can’t wait to dive in.
Profile Image for Dani.
598 reviews19 followers
July 12, 2026
I did not expect to fall in love with this book, the story, and its characters as much as I did. A few pages in, I immediately knew I had a winner in my hands, and I came close to reading it in one go - but someone needs their sleep :)
When Lila and Logan meet, it was very obvious to me that this was the start of something special. The banter and the chemistry came across so well on the page that it had me giggling internally for them. That's how you write the beginning of a romance. I was completely convinced and wanted to see more of them.
Learning that they only had this one night together was heartbreaking, but it set the stage for them meeting again. And I was so happy about that :) Years later, they both immediately picked up on their connection still being as strong as it was initially, despite not being able to get each other out of their minds in the meantime.

But it couldn’t be that easy, right? The story reflects very well how hard being in a relationship can be when you are in the military. Not knowing when your partner is leaving, where they are going, how long they'll be gone, and when - or if - they'll come back must be heartbreaking. And doing it all over again and again is torture for everyone involved. Knowing that you might lose someone, or that someone from your team might not make it back home, only adds to that burden. Including that aspect in the story made it feel so much more real and raised the stakes significantly.
If you know the risks and the potential outcome, is it better not to fall in love and spare those left behind the pain, or is taking the risk and giving love a chance the better option? That moral dilemma was portrayed very well, and I found myself a bit teary-eyed here and there.
Profile Image for SeekzieReads.
20 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

A chance encounter in Las Vegas, wrong time right person… a love that stands true through it all?

Lila & Logan met on a random chance in Las Vegas, unknowing that there was a connection between the two of them. Wrong time, right person – the connection between these two was phenomenal. They chose to have one night… at that time.

Years later, they meet again. Their relationship progresses slowly because Logan knows something that Lila does not and hold’s back, and it all collapses at once at the wrong time.

It is a HEA, but I won’t spoil it. YOU GOTS TO READ IT!

Lila and Logan’s connection was amazing to see, the slow build up in their intimacy and relation. There are times that I truly felt Lila's frustration with Logan holding back and then…. when it finally happened, oh boy.

I will admit I got mad at Logan when it went all downhill. I get it, Logan was in a very rough spot with what happened mentally and physically.

Mental health matters especially in the military (my brother recently retired USAF & I fundraise for Stack Up) but I would have liked to see him grovel more. There was not enough groveling for me, which is why it is not 4 stars. (I'd give it actually 4.5 but it doesn't let me).

Lila would be the best person TO work through it with him, even if he didn’t see it at the time.

I loved the interactions with the girls, and Logan’s fellow airmen. I was giggling, I was crying - I had ALL the emotions.

I'm verrrry much looking forward to the next book in the series. :)

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Nikki Dunlap.
225 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2026
Oh Brilee!! Where do I start?!

From the very first chapter, I felt completely immersed in this story. The writing is so vivid and emotionally rich that I didn’t just read these characters’ journey—I experienced it alongside them. I cried so many times during this book and Every page carried weight, every emotion felt genuine, and I found myself completely invested in their lives.

What impressed me most was the way this story honors the realities of military life. It doesn’t glamorize the sacrifices, grief, or invisible wounds that service members and their families carry. Instead, it approaches those experiences with compassion, honesty, and so much heart. That authenticity made this story even more powerful.

Logan and Lila completely stole my heart. I celebrated their victories, hurt through their losses, and held onto hope right alongside them. The romance is beautiful, but it’s also a story about healing, resilience, finding your way back home, and learning that love can still bloom after unimaginable heartbreak.

✨ If you love:
• Military romance with heart
• Emotional second chances
• Found family
• Dual POV
• Suspense woven into the romance
• Stories that make you laugh, cry, and hope all at once

…then this book deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.

By the time I turned the final page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. I immediately needed the next book because these characters have completely claimed a piece of my heart. Lucky me…. I’m on the authors ARC team for GHOST, book 2!

Brilee Scott has created something incredibly special, and I already know this series is going to stay with me for a long time.
Profile Image for Liz.
271 reviews8 followers
Read
August 6, 2026
Viking
by Brilee Scott
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was not prepared for how much this book would make me feel.

This was such an emotional, high-stakes military romance filled with love, grief, healing, and the realities of choosing a life built around duty.

Logan and Lila’s story completely pulled me in. Their history, their connection, and all the things left unsaid between them made the romance feel so much deeper than just a second-chance love story. The emotional tension was everything, and I loved watching them navigate the fear of loving someone when that love also comes with the possibility of losing them.

One of my favorite parts was how the book balanced the romance with the military aspect. The aviation scenes, the danger, and the sacrifices made the story feel grounded and emotional rather than just romanticized.

Logan especially broke my heart. Seeing someone who is so strong and capable struggle with grief and trauma was handled beautifully. And Lila? I admired her strength, patience, and the way she loved him while still holding onto herself.

This book had me feeling everything—hope, heartbreak, anxiety, and so much love. The kind of story where you want to hug the characters and yell at them at the same time. 😭

Overall, Viking is a beautiful debut filled with emotional depth, unforgettable chemistry, and a romance that proves some connections never truly disappear. If you love second-chance romance, military romance, emotional healing, and characters who fight for their happily ever after, definitely pick this one up. ✈️❤️

Thank you to Brilee Scott for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
Profile Image for Haylee Smith.
55 reviews6 followers
August 18, 2026
“Lila, you’re it for me. I just didn’t realize it until I almost lost you.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m not even entirely sure where to start. This is Brilee Scott’s DEBUT novel & it is very much one of the best books I ever read. Not just this year, EVER. Brilee has a true gift. She made me laugh, she made me cry, she made me believe I was right there in the middle of everything the main characters went through.

The story follows Logan & Lila. Logan is a pilot in the Air Force & Lila is an event planner who works alongside the Air Force. This story is so much more than just a romance with a tiny bit of military drama thrown in. This book makes you understand & feel what it is like. As a daughter of a veteran, I felt
so many emotions while reading. I felt the grief they both felt. I felt the pain & the unknowns that come with deployments. It was refreshing to see & read a military romance that didn’t feel like it romanticized their lifestyles, but highlights it in a way that brings it justice.

I fell in love with not just Logan & Lila but the whole “family” of this story. I felt like I was there & a part of this story. Brilee adds so many details that don’t seem like they matter but they do. They create the imagery of the story. This is a slow burn, suspenseful story that will have you holding your breath as you are reading because you don’t know what will be happening next. It truly is an amazing & emotional story & I’m so happy I picked it up. I may or may not have already finished book 2 but her writing is just incredible.

If you like:
🪖military romance that is not romanticizes, but justifies service life
✈️ dual POVs
🪖 hard earned HEAs
✈️second chance
🪖slow burn
✈️healing arcs

Then I highly recommend you pick up this book!
Profile Image for Melanie Kramer.
30 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2026
At first I did not think a military romance was going to be for me and then I read Viking. Wow! Such a beautiful story. It makes you laugh, cry, get frustrated, feel every single emotion.

Brilee Scott wrote an incredible romance and definitely did her research. I went in with enough knowledge to know what an F-22 is and have been to a demo before but that’s it. She really teaches the reader all about an F-22, the Air Force and demos!

Lila is one of the best FMCs I’ve read about in a long time. She was easy to root for and so strong. The banter between her and Logan was top tier. She was confident and witty and emotionally intelligent. It was refreshing to read about an FMC like her. Every time Logan was deployed I held my breath with her.

Captain Logan James, how can I put this beautiful man into words. My favorite book boyfriend may have lost his spot to this one. You start by thinking he’s just another arrogant military guy, WRONG. He has depth and has been through the ringer in his career. His growth was incredible to read about and also heartbreaking.

Its truly and beautifully written military romance, found family, push and pull, everything you want in a romance. From chapter one I was HOOKED. Trust me ladies. One of the most refreshing romances I’ve read. I loved Brilee’s writing and can’t wait to read the sequel Ghost, of which I’m a member of the arc team.

Brilee thank you for this beautiful book and I can’t wait to watch your career flourish! I’ve already told sooo many people about this book.

Profile Image for Sarah Franklin.
127 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2026
Brilee Scott has a way of pulling you into a story from the very first page, and Viking was no exception. She delivers plenty of action, heart, and emotional moments that completely consumed me.

This book broke me in so many ways. At one point, I was literally crying over dinner at Chick-fil-A because I was so invested in these characters and their journey.

As a military spouse, I connected deeply with Lila. When she learned Logan was deploying for the first time, I absolutely lost it. I knew exactly how she felt in that moment. My husband’s first deployment came shortly after 9/11. He left in November, and we had no idea how long he would be gone. The uncertainty, fear, and heartache were overwhelming, and Brilee captured those emotions so authentically through Lila’s experience.

Because of my personal connection to military life, this story hit especially hard. The emotions felt real, the struggles were relatable, and I found myself completely invested in both Lila and Logan.

And let’s talk about Logan for a second—this man knows how to swoon. While I wouldn’t consider this book particularly spicy by my standards, it definitely delivers some delicious tension, sweet romance, and plenty of dirty talk that had me smiling. The chemistry between these two was undeniable, and their moments together were equal parts heartfelt and romantic.

If you love military romance filled with emotion, action, and a hero who knows exactly what to say, Viking is one I highly recommend.
Profile Image for enchantedmelreads.
266 reviews10 followers
June 30, 2026
Logan & Lila 🥰

❤️military romance
✨second chance
❤️tortured hero
✨fighter pilot MMC
❤️guarded FMC
✨suspense
❤️slow burn
✨found family

Firstly, Brilee’s writing style always draws me in from the very first page. I’m such a fan, and at this point I’ll read anything she writes. This book had me completely hooked from the very beginning.

I knew I was going to love this, especially after reading Chance. I also knew it was going to wreck me emotionally, but I still wasn’t prepared for the roller coaster of emotions this story would take me on.

I loved how a one-night stand turned into something so much more years later. Logan and Lila’s story was such a beautiful second-chance romance. Their chemistry was incredible, and I felt every emotion they experienced along the way.

I can’t even imagine what it’s like to love someone who has to be deployed, and watching them navigate that reality made their story even more emotional. Then all the tragic events that followed completely shattered me. I was bawling my eyes out by the end, and to me, that’s how you know a book is truly special. When a story can make you cry and leave you feeling every emotion right alongside the characters, you know it’s something unforgettable.

This book absolutely wrecked me in the best way, and I loved every emotional moment of it.
Profile Image for Courtney Joly.
69 reviews3 followers
June 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars

Viking was my first military romance, and it definitely won't be my last.

This story had the perfect balance of romance, suspense, action, and emotional depth. From the very beginning, I was invested in the characters and their journey. The tension between the main characters was incredibly well done, creating a slow burn that kept me eagerly turning pages to see what would happen next.

I especially enjoyed the fighter pilot aspect of the story, which added a unique and exciting element. The action sequences kept me on edge, while the emotional moments had me fully invested in the characters' struggles, losses, and growth. There were moments that made me laugh, moments that made me cry, and several that left me holding my breath.

The found family dynamics added warmth to the story, and I loved watching the characters navigate healing, trust, and second chances. The dual POV allowed me to connect with both main characters and understand their motivations on a deeper level.

If you're a fan of stories like Top Gun or Pearl Harbor and enjoy military romance with strong emotional stakes, slow-burn tension, and plenty of suspense, I highly recommend giving Viking a try.

I'm officially convinced that I need more military romance in my life.
Profile Image for Yippeekiyayreads .
94 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2026
This was a military romance that I have not experienced before. It was filled with action, betrayal, love, and healing. I always want some kind of disruption in my romance reads that brings vulnerability to the table. Viking delivered it. Logan was soft wrapped in strength and the chemistry between him and Lila was the perfect combination.

We follow Lila and Logan after they have a chance meeting in Las Vegas and an unplanned, yet unforgettable night together. That night lingers in their memories and in the background of their lives for six years when fate brings them together once again. Logan, an F-22 fighter pilot on the demo team, is stationed at Langley AFB when he meets the new air show coordinator, Lila. Except Lila isn't just his new colleague and past hook up, she is Lila Mercer, a general's daughter and the sister of his fallen friend.

This story has a lot of action, but most of it is centered around a couple navigating the reality of being in a relationship when one is serving in the military. Dedication of service is not just in our service men and women, but also in their families who endure the unknown every day and choose to boldly build their lives around the deployments, late nights, and missed life events. This story honors that while delivering an action packed, steamy romance full of heart, grief, and resilience.
Profile Image for Jill.
106 reviews16 followers
August 12, 2026
Raw, Real, & Utterly Unputdownable

Brilee Scott's debut is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. The chemistry between Logan and Lila sparks in their very first scene together and never lets up, only getting more addictive as their history unravels.

This isn't just a romance with military window dressing. The camaraderie, the weight of the job, and the grief that comes with it all feel real, without ever overshadowing the love story.

What got me most was Logan. He's not just brooding for the sake of it; he's genuinely working through his own damage in a way that felt real and earned, not just a device to make him more tortured. Lila deserved every bit of that growth, and so did I as a reader.

Buried secrets, devastating loss, and a slow burn built on real emotional stakes. This one will wreck you in the best way, and it's officially sent me down a rabbit hole to read her other books next.

🌟 Rating: 4.5/5
Would recommend to: Readers who love second-chance romance, military heroes, wounded-hero healing arcs, and a slow burn with real emotional stakes. 🪖💔📖
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